Newspaper crier and vending machine



May` 30, 1933. L.. c. sEPlN Er AL NEWSPAPER CRIER AND VENDING MACHINE Filed Oct. 30, 1929 INVENTOR.

Patented May 30, 1933 :UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE f LEE C. SEKPIN AND ERIC A. BINNEY, OF SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA;

NEWSPAPER (.IR,1|1E1`1,l AND VENDING MACHINE `.Application filed October 30, 1929. Serial No. 403,455.

Our invention relates to newspaper crier and vending machines, and the objects are: To provide an `automatic newspaper vend- Y ing Vmachine by means of which announcementsV pertaining' to the news in the publication may be made from acentral point, such as theoffice of thevpublishers, and toA provide a'vending and announcingmachine having automatically operated signal means 1U operative lwhen the machine is empty or nearly so. Another object is to provide means for controlling the magnitude of the sound when a paper is being purchased. v A further object is to .provide acentralsta- 'l5 tion system for sinniltaneously speaking through a plurality of vending machines, each one vof which is Vautomatically disconnected whenit becomes, or is about to bep come, empty. ,Affurth'er object is to provide `various luminescent.signsjindicative of the edition ofthe publication, which may bel be selectively lighted and automatically disconnected after the last .paper is removed. Figurel l is a diagram. of connections of a system, 'showing a` singlev complete circuit only. lfig. 2 isfa fragmentary diagram of a modified form of signalling system. Fig. 3 vis-'an elevationall view of a news vender and crier. Fig. ,4 isa sectional view along line 4 4 in Fig. 3. Fig. 5v is an enlarged fragmentary view` of the' paper releasing mechanism and electric switch controlled thereby. Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the releasin mechanism with electric switches control ed thereby, and Fig. 7

is a diagrammatical view of the coin controlled electric circuits associated y with the operating mechanism of the vending machine. S is a Vdiagram illustrating a modified arrangementy of the signalling system. Y

' Referring to Fig. 1, a central announcing station Ais shown' provided vwith an amplifier 1 including a conventional rectifier 16a 5 connected'to aA source of alternating current 1b. The amplifier 1 is adapted to operate in conjunction with a microphone 2, which may have a preliminary amplifier 2a,for` a record Y 3. vConnection to'either of these devices is made by the double throw switch 4." The output of the amplifier, indicated byv the lead 1c, iscomiected to a plurality of vending machines B, placed at suitable localities, such asstreet intersections, railway stations and the like, each station being connected to the output buses 5 at the centralV station'A, by means of the conductors 6, 6a, 6b, etc.

'The conductors 6 are controlled'bya magnetically operated switch 7 which normally A,

connects the respective vending stationfsto the buses `5, but which, when operated disA connects said station and v'conn'ect's'theV con-v ductors 6 to an vequalizing load 8, as will be more fully explained in what follows. Y

It is further obvious that in theplaceof' a news vending machine, machines devised for the'sale of other articles,'such as tickets, magazines,packages of candy and the like may be substituted, it being understood thaty appropriate announcements would be made in each case., v The vending station B includes the loud-y Y speaker 9, having the magnet coil 10 and moving element 11, all forming the type known as'the electro dynamicspeaker. The magnet coil 10 is supplied locally through a rectifier 12 and transformer 13 from the sup-Y ply 14, through a two way switch 15. The latter normally connects the supply with the'transformer 13A and also with the trans-v former 16. The latter furnishes currenty at a suitable potential to the vvarious signs 17 18 and 19 which are of the neon tube type andv preferably of distinguishing color. A switch 20 allows for selectively illuminating signs 17 and 18 with sign'19. y VThe/disposition of the various parts described is clearly shown in Figs.` 3 and: 4.-, in which an upper casing 20 containing the loud-speaker and itsequipment is mounted over a casing 21, 'forming the vending portion of the device. y l i, The detailed structure of the vending machine per se forms the subject of a separate. invention, and its details are shown anddescribed only in so far as its cooperation with' thev system as a whole` requires.v

Within the lcasing 21 is,y providedV a screwy member 22 rotatable in the bearing`s`23 and 24 positioned at the front and rear of the casing 21 and near the one side and the up r end thereof. Y

perable by the screw member 22 is a bridge member 25 having an internally threaded portion 25a and a lateral arm 25?) which extends to the opposite side of the casing 2l and rides on a parallel guide bar 26, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig..3. Downwardly and inwardly projecting cam members 25o are provided at each end of the bridge member 25 which are adapted to progressively engage hook members 27, which are pivotally supported on a tray 28 removably supported within the casing 2l, as clearly shown in Fig. 4. The tray member 28 is provided with a series of corrugat'ions or laterally'extending, equally spaced, parallel ridges 28m on its lower side, between which the horizontal legs 27a of the hooks 27 project, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig, 5. The newspaper P or other publication is suspended in folded form from opposite pairs of hooks, as many papers as thereare spaces between. ridges 28a being accommodated.`

The cam members 25e are inclined inwardly, and in sliding over the upright legs of the hooks 27, rotate them in the manner indicated in Fig. 5, in which the dotted line position is the set position while the full 4line position is the release position.

Near the front end of the casing is'positioned the two way switch 15, which is adapted to be thrown over from one position to another, as best seen in Fig. 1.

It will be there seen Vthat-the switch V15 normally closes a circuit connecting the rectifier and sign transformersil?) and 16, respectively, to the supply 14. Switch 15 is preferably resiliently held in this position. On engagement ofthe lug 25d with the switch 15 the latter is thrown to the second position, indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1. This causes the' supply14 to be connected to the signal conductor` 26 which leads from the vending machine to the .central station magnetic switch 7, the coil.7a thereof being thereby eXcitedand switch 7 moved to the lower position, whereby the loud-speaker circuit is opened andthe balancing load 8 is substituted. A signal means, such as a lampV 29, may be caused to glow on the above described action taking place, thereby advising the attendant of' the condition of the vending machine. p

The position of switch l5 maybe adjusted relative to the tray 28 so that the signal may be given when all papers are Vreleased .or when any predetermined number still remain, the switch 15 being mounted on a suitable slide 30, shiftable parallel with the screw 22, as shown in Fig. 5. Thevslide 30 is adapted to be held in any shifted position by means of an adjusting screw, notshown. It is obvious that any'other conventional contacting device may be employed in place of the lug 25d and switch 15, in effecting the reconnection desired. It is, of course, possible to effect the disconnection of the loud-speaker and signs after the sale of the last paper while actuating the signal at an earlier period by providing separate switches 15 and 15a, as indicated in Fig. 8.

' In order to modulate the sound of the loud-speaker when a purchaser is in the point of purchasinga paper, the moving element thereof is connected in series with a suitable resistancel 3l which is normally shunted by a switch 32. This switch is adapted to be openedvon initial operation of the releasing mechanism, one form of which is illustrated in Fig. 6. The screw member 22'is provided with a loosely mounted pinion 33, having a pawl'34 adapted to engage a lratchet 35, which is keyed to the screw member 22. A rack member 36, supported in a substantially vertical position, engages the pinion 34. The rack 36 vis mounted in any suitable manner, not shown, permitting reciprocative movement, whereby the pinion 33' is rotated back and forth. This move-` ment causes a progressive'angular movement ofthe screw member 22 in response tothe action of the pawl and ratchet associated with Ythe pinion and screw member. The rack 36 has an extension 36a forminga core which is vadaptedto be drawn into a solenoid 37. A coil spring 38 normally holds the core andthereby the rack in an upper position.

' The solenoid 37 is connected to the source of supply 14by means of a magnetically operated double pole switch 39', the magnet coil 39a thereof beingconnected to the one terminal of the solenoid 37, and to switchV 40, which is normally closed. The switchVV 40 is connected to the one terminal offline 14. V

The terminals of the one pole of switch 39 are connected to a coin Vcontrolled circuit, one form of which is diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 7. A. coin chute 41, leading from the coin slot 41a on the face of the casing 21, is provided with an insulated contact plate 42, on which the coin C comes to rest.V A prong 43 extending across the chute 41 serves to hold the coin onthe plate 42. Prong 43 and plate 42 are connected to the terminals of the switch 39, thus formingy a circuit from one terminal of the supply 14, through switch 40, magnet coil 39a, prong 43, coin C, plate 42, tothe opposite terminal of the supply. The magnet coil 39a thus becomes excited, thereby closing switch 39 and exciting the solenoid The core` 36a is then pulled down at the same time prong 43 is moved out of the path ofl coin C, which may then fall into the receptacle 44. The prong 43 may be connected, to the core 36a by means of'ajrod 43a, as shown in 6.

The switch 32 is positioned near the u per position'of the rack 36 and is adapted to be engaged by the lug 366 on the rack 36. 'Ilie lug 36?) may be arranged for adjustment on the rack, or switch 32 may be adjustable as in the case of switch 15 for obtaining the desired relation between the action of the switch 32 and movement of the rack 36.

Switch 40 is adapted to be opened by the lug 36?) when the rack is in its lower position. Switch 40 is preferably also adjustable relative to lug 366 in order to allow for the desired movement of the rack 36. It will be noted that the result desired is to obtain a movement of the cams 250 equal to the spacing between adjacent hooks 27 in order to progressively release the papers supported thereon as the coins are deposited.

The casing 21 is provided with a discharge opening 2lb, and a curved slide 210, so positioned as to direct the falling newspaper toward the opening 21?), as clearly shown in Fig. 4. y

In the application of the magnetic form of loud-speaker illustrated in Fig. 2, the loud-speaker 44 is connected by way of a switch 45 to the main buses 5. A signal 46 is provided in the circuit and is adapted to function when the circuit is interrupted by means of switch 45. The latter is placed in the position shown for switch 15. Obviously, a lighting circuit may be opened for disconnecting the transformer 16, as described previously.

The system, including central station and the therewith connected vending stations, is intended to be used for the purpose of selling the various editions of a newspaper and for this reason the loud speaker is intended to be used for calling the more sensational or alluring items as is the custom of news venders for the purpose of attracting customers. The vending machines are adapted to be quickly refilled by attendants acting in response to the signals.

It is obvious that the vending machines l may be connected in groups around subdepots, the signals 29 or 46 being placed at the sub-depots with attendants for servicing the machines connected with each subdepot. The latter would, of course, be controlled from the central station, preferably located at the newspaper plant.

The central station is provided with the alternative microphone and record circuits, the intention being that when desired, the loud-speakers may be used for the more general calls, such as the name of the paper, edition, etc. by having the latter on one or more records, the microphone connection being used for the more particular or special calls, pertaining to the news in an edition just oil' the press.

It is obvious that considerable variation in the manner in using 4either circuit is possible.

While we have shown and described a particular arrangement of connections, and parts and portions, we do not wish to be limited to the arrangement shown, but desire to secure by Letters Patent the arrangements set forth in the appended claims.

1. In a system of the class described, a centrally located means for receiving and transmitting acoustically delivered announcements, a remotely positioned means adapted to deliver articles on deposit of the requisite coin, transmission means connecting said central and remote means, and means therein adapted to receive said transmitted announcements and deliver same acoustically, and means actuated on delivery of a predetermined numberl of articles for interrupting said announcements.`

2. The combination with a news vending machine of a loud-speaker, means for delivering news items pertaining to the contents of the newspaper on sale by said vending machine from said loud-speaker, and means for modulating the sound of the delivered news items during the purchase of a newspaper from said vending machine.

3. The combination with a news vending machine of a loud-speaker, means for operating said loud-speaker from a remote central station, means for automatically signalling to said central station after the sale of a predetermined number of papers, and means for discoiinectingtg` said loud-speaker after the sale of the last paper.

LEE C. SEPIN. ERIC A. BINNEY. 

